Hot Weather Returns to the Community This Week

Here's some advice from DeKalb Medical on how to handle the returning sweltering weather.

With the return of hot weather to the Decatur and Avondale Estates communities this week, Decatur Patch asked the professionals at DeKalb Medical for some advice on how to stay healthy during these sweltering weeks. "There are essentially three types of heat-related illnesses," said Dr. Sofia Khan, who specializes in emergency medicine. "Signs of dehydration are fatigue, weakness, muscle cramping, irritability, thirst and headache. "Signs of heat exhaustion include the ones listed above plus a fast or rapid heartbeat, heavy sweating, nausea, cool or moist skin and dark colored urine," she said. "Signs of heat stroke include very warm or hot skin, altered mental status, elevated body temperature, and fainting and passing out." So what's the…

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How Decatur Firefighters Are Battling the Heat

Misting trailer is only part of the effort.

With heat advisories almost a daily occurrance and no real relief in sight, firefighters are especially vulnerable to exhaustion and other heat-related afflications. But the Decatur Fire Department has its own way of helping its personnel make it through particularly brutal hot weather. "During these hot summer days we try to limit our exposure to outdoor activities unless necessary," said Assistant Fire Chief Tim Hatcher. "And we have our own misting trailer." The forced-air misting trailer is used for calls in which a cooler environment is needed for rest and rehab, as well as for special events like the city's recent 4th of July festivities. The misting trailer is Hatcher's brainchild. "While visiting Bush Gardens and standing in the …

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Healthy Patch Living

DeKalb Medical Cautions About Heat-Related Illness

How to detect and prevent dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Living in the south, we’re familiar with the heat. But it's easy to overlook how damaging its affects can be, especially to young children and the elderly. It’s easy to get wrapped up in your daily activities and not realize that you could be putting yourself at risk for a heat-related illness. Those illnesses include: dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Dr. Sofia Khan, from DeKalb Medical Center, says it’s important to be aware and recognize symptoms. “Recognition can prevent progression to the next level,” she says. Signs of dehydration are fatigue, weakness, muscle cramping, irritability, thirst and headache.  Signs of heat exhaustion include those same symptoms plus a rapid heartbeat, heavy sweating, nausea, cool or moist …

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